Heirloom seeds

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Syrumani Whitsett, NC(Zone 8a) Feb 29, 2008

Can someone explain to me heirloom seeds? For some reason, I have it in my head that these are flowers that have been grown isolated from any other type of seeds.

While I was at the nursery an hour ago, I was looking at nasturtium seeds. They had the Jewel, Mixed Colors in "heirloom" and not "heirloom". Are the Nots just open pollinated seeds?

Thanks for your help.

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Feb 29, 2008

I found this because suddenly I was curious too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato

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Len123 Adrian, MO(Zone 6a) Mar 01, 2008

I think the main thing about the heirloom seeds even though they are open pollinated is their ability to save the seed and replant next year. I suppose most people who grow them probably don't grow them with modern hybrids, therefore allowing them not to be cross pollinated with them. However if you have say a couple of heirloom tomato varieties and plant them in near proximity, and save the seeds to plant the next year it is possible some of the seeds will be a hybrid of the two varieties. But in the "old" days people didn't have the money to buy the seeds every year, and they probably just had one favorite variety that they saved seed and passed from generation to generation. Of course now days we can afford to buy a hundred different varieties if we so desired.
I agree it is confusing perhaps because the vendors selling them find it not perhaps in their best interests to fully disclose certain aspects of them. But i would say if you want to go heirloom, pick the best ONE and save the seeds and replant. I hope i made things a little clearer.

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Syrumani Whitsett, NC(Zone 8a) Mar 01, 2008

I think the link kwanjin posted, and your explanation, Len123, help alot.

As long as I don't grow any other nasturtiums, then these seeds I purchased can continue to be heirloom . . .

Thanks for your help!

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Mar 02, 2008

You're welcome!

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